Players in the Netherlands and Belgium are facing regional restrictions when trying to access AION 2 through NCSoft’s PURPLE platform. Selecting either country during account registration prevents players from accessing the MMORPG. However, some players have discovered possible workarounds, including selecting Germany during registration or using an older NCSoft account.
These options may allow certain players to access the game despite the restrictions. However, neither method guarantees access, and NCSoft has not officially confirmed support for either workaround.
AION 2 Is Restricted in the Netherlands and Belgium
AION 2 continues to attract attention from MMORPG fans, but regional availability remains a significant obstacle for Dutch and Belgian players.
When registering through PURPLE, players who select the Netherlands or Belgium as their country cannot access AION 2. The problem does not necessarily involve an error message or a technical failure. Instead, access appears to depend on the country associated with the account.
This distinction matters because registering for PURPLE and receiving permission to play AION 2 are separate processes.
Players may successfully create an account but still discover that the game is unavailable in their selected region.
Selecting Germany May Allow Players to Access AION 2
One possible workaround involves selecting Germany instead of the Netherlands or Belgium during registration.
Some players report that choosing Germany allows them to proceed with account creation and access AION 2 through PURPLE.
Germany does not appear to face the same reported registration restrictions, which could explain why selecting that country produces different results.
However, this method comes with potential risks. Registering an account under a country that does not match a player’s actual residence could conflict with NCSoft’s account requirements.
Furthermore, NCSoft could introduce additional verification measures or change how regional restrictions are enforced.
Players considering this workaround should understand that access is not guaranteed and could change without warning.
Older NCSoft Accounts May Still Work
Another possibility involves older NCSoft accounts created before the current regional restrictions became relevant.
Players who previously registered an NCSoft account for earlier titles, including the original AION, may already have an account configuration that allows them to access AION 2 through PURPLE.
This raises the possibility that some existing accounts are treated differently from newly registered accounts.
For example, a Dutch player with an older NCSoft account might be able to access AION 2 even though someone creating a new account today cannot select the Netherlands and gain access.
However, this remains a possibility rather than a confirmed solution. There is currently no verified evidence that all older NCSoft accounts bypass the regional restrictions.
Account history, registration region, and other eligibility requirements could influence whether this method works.
Players who already have an NCSoft account may therefore want to check their existing account eligibility before attempting to create another one.
Why Are the Netherlands and Belgium Restricted?
The Netherlands and Belgium have previously attracted attention because of their different approaches to loot boxes and gambling-related mechanics in video games.
Belgium has taken a restrictive position on certain paid randomized rewards, while Dutch gambling regulations can also influence how publishers distribute games featuring gambling-like systems.
These regulatory differences have affected the availability of several online games in the past.
However, NCSoft has not provided a confirmed explanation establishing that these laws are responsible for AION 2’s current regional restrictions.
Although monetization regulations may be a contributing factor, players should not assume they are the sole reason without an official explanation.
Regional Restrictions Leave European Players Frustrated
For an MMORPG that relies on a connected online community, regional restrictions can create unnecessary frustration.
Players in Germany may be able to register and access AION 2, while their friends living just across the border in the Netherlands or Belgium encounter restrictions.
The possibility that older NCSoft accounts might still work adds another layer of confusion.
If existing accounts can access the game while newly registered accounts cannot, players may reasonably question whether NCSoft applies its restrictions consistently.
The reported Germany workaround also raises questions about how much account country selection influences access.
Nevertheless, neither workaround should be considered an officially supported solution.
Will NCSoft Remove the Restrictions?
At the time of writing, NCSoft has not announced plans to remove the restrictions affecting Dutch and Belgian players.
For now, players have two possible options worth investigating: selecting Germany during registration or checking whether an older NCSoft account remains eligible to access AION 2.
Both approaches remain unconfirmed workarounds, and their effectiveness may vary between accounts.
GamingHQ will continue monitoring the situation and any official changes to AION 2’s regional availability.
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